Smoke residue in the rest of the house
Residue goes where the air goes. We inspect adjoining rooms and recommend duct cleaning when the system ran during the fire.
Serving 49 Chicago-area suburbs
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Chicago & the Suburbs
Stovetop fire or smoke damage in your Chicagoland kitchen? We clean soot, remove smoke odor and rebuild what burned.
- Crews covering the Chicago suburbs, from Naperville to Evanston
- We stop the cause first, then dry, clean and rebuild
- Photos and notes you can share with your insurer
Fire and smoke damage we restore in Chicagoland kitchens
Most kitchen fires start on the stovetop and stay small, but the soot and smoke travel much farther than the flames. In Chicagoland we clean the residue off ceilings, cabinets and walls, deal with the odor and replace what actually burned.
Melted outlets, wiring or switches
Discolored or melted plates near the stove mean heat reached the wiring. We have the electrical checked and repaired before closing walls.
Yellowed walls and protein residue
If walls look slightly yellow and the smell is strong after a burned pot, it's protein residue. We remove it and repaint.
Discolored or scorched countertops
Laminate near the range may blister or scorch; stone and quartz may discolor or crack from heat. We clean what we can and replace what's damaged.
Appliances covered in soot
Soot on stainless steel and enamel can usually be cleaned. Appliances that were exposed to heat or have damaged controls are checked or replaced.
Grease fire on the stovetop
After a stovetop flare-up, the damage is usually concentrated above the burner. We rebuild that area and clean the residue that spread beyond it.
Black soot on the ceiling and upper cabinets
Dark stains spreading across the ceiling above the stove are soot, and they need dry cleaning before any wet cleaning. Then the ceiling gets a stain-blocking primer and paint.
Water and extinguisher residue
Extinguisher dust and firefighting water add their own cleanup. We handle both with the soot.
What we handle after the damage
- AssessmentWe walk the kitchen and nearby rooms to separate burned materials from soot-covered ones.
- Electrical checkWe have heat-exposed wiring and outlets inspected before rebuilding.
- Protecting the rest of the houseWe keep the cleanup contained to the affected area.
- Cabinet interiors and contentsWe clean cabinet interiors, not just the fronts.
- Odor removalAfter cleaning, odor treatment like thermal fogging or ozone or hydroxyl equipment is used when needed, with the house unoccupied where the method requires.
- Sealing and paintingWalls and ceilings get a stain- and odor-blocking primer, then paint.
- RebuildWe replace what was removed and put the kitchen back into use.
How we dry, clean and rebuild
Replacement cabinets and hoodNew cabinets matched to the existing kitchen where possible, plus a new range hood.
HEPA vacuums and air scrubbersFiltration that keeps loose particles from spreading.
Dry soot spongesThe first pass on ceilings and walls, so residue isn't smeared.
Degreasing cleanersProducts made for sticky soot from cooking oil.
Odor treatment equipmentThermal foggers, ozone or hydroxyl units used after cleaning when odor remains.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration across Chicagoland
The same job looks different in a 1920s bungalow, a 1970s split-level and a new subdivision. Here is what we plan for in different parts of the region.
Prewar towns
Smoke in an older kitchen with plaster walls
In houses from the pre-1940, older paint layers may contain lead. We follow lead-safe practices when sanding or removing them.
Condo and townhome towns
Smoke damage in a condo unit
Shared walls and ventilation spread smoke. We clean and rebuild your kitchen and work with building management on access.
Lisle, Evanston, Itasca, Woodridge, Mount Prospect, Carol Stream
Recent restoration jobs
Before
AfterA Bolingbrook 1980s two-story: before and after
The site: a 1980s two-story near Westbury. What we started with: white thermofoil cabinets peeling at the edges, oak trim and a brass chandelier over the nook. The main complaint was a grease fire that scorched the upper cabinets. After: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. On site this meant electrical check, protecting the rest of the house, plus cabinet interiors and contents.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Bolingbrook →
Before
AfterKitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in a 1980s two-story, West Chicago
This one is a 1980s two-story in West Chicago. What we started with: honey-oak cathedral raised-panel cabinets with worn finish near the handles, brass knobs and a fluorescent box light in the ceiling. What bothered the owners most: smoke-blackened wood cabinets above the range. The result: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. The job covered assessment, odor removal, plus rebuild.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in West Chicago →
Before
AfterA Berwyn brick bungalow from the 1920s: before and after
This one is a brick bungalow from the 1920s near South Oak Park area. What we started with: dark stained 1970s oak cabinets with heavy frames and a single pendant bowl light. The reason for the call: smoke-blackened wood cabinets above the range. Finished kitchen: the ceiling cleaned, sealed and repainted, new upper cabinets and a new range hood above the stove. On site this meant protecting the rest of the house, sealing and painting, plus rebuild.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration in Berwyn →Step by step after damage
- Call us after the fire is outWhen it's safe to go back in, call; we'll give you a realistic arrival time.
- Assess and protectA walkthrough, photos for your insurer and protection for the rest of the house.
- Clean and deodorizeWe remove residue from every surface and treat the remaining smell.
- RebuildWe replace what burned and repaint so the kitchen is usable again.
Insurance, timing and cleanup questions
Can I clean smoke damage myself?
Small spots, maybe. Large areas, ceilings and smell need equipment and the right cleaners.
Does insurance cover kitchen fire damage?
Many homeowner policies cover fire, but your insurer decides. We document the damage and can work with your adjuster on the scope.
Should cabinets be cleaned or replaced after a fire?
Burned means replace; soot-covered usually means clean. We go cabinet by cabinet.
How do you get rid of smoke smell after a kitchen fire?
Odor sits in the residue. We clean it off, treat the air and seal walls and ceilings.
How do I get a fire report in Chicagoland?
The fire department that came to your home handles report requests. Keep the incident number for your claim.
Which towns do you serve?
Chicago and 49 suburbs, from Naperville and Aurora to Evanston, Schaumburg and Orland Park. Pick your town below for local details and ZIP codes.
Kitchen Fire & Smoke Restoration near you
Pick your town for local details, ZIP codes and nearby projects.